NHAI and NCAER Launch Transport Economics Centre

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 23 June 2026 to establish the NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics. The centre is planned as India’s first permanent and independent research institution dedicated to the economics of transportation, mobility, and logistics.

Institutional Framework

The centre will be housed at NCAER and will receive support from NHAI for 10 years as a founding contribution. An Advisory Committee of economists, transportation experts, public policy specialists, and academicians will guide the centre, while a separate steering committee will oversee research priorities.

Research Areas

The centre will study national highway economics, freight logistics, modal integration, regional economic impacts of highway investments, toll policy, asset monetisation, road safety, and technology adoption in highway operations and maintenance. These subjects are linked to road transport planning and infrastructure economics in India.

Policy and Research Outputs

The centre will produce policy briefs, working papers, reports, consultations, and academic engagements. These outputs are intended for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI, and other government agencies.

Important Facts for Exams

• NHAI was established in 1988 under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988.
• NCAER is one of India’s oldest economic policy research institutions and was established in 1956.
• National highways are part of the road network classified under the National Highways Act, 1956.
• Asset monetisation in infrastructure includes methods such as toll-operate-transfer and infrastructure investment trusts.